Matchmaking After UFC Fight Night Allen vs Duncan
by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen
Sportz Nation - 10/13/2026
4Brendan Allen vs
Middleweight Champion
Matt Hylen -
The middleweight division is in a bit of a standstill currently, so it’s tough to tell who will fight for the belt next. The assumption is that Sean Strickland will defend his title against Nassourdine Imavov, but who knows if that happens anymore with the latest comments from Strickland about the UFC and lack of pay.
Regardless, Brendan Allen’s next fight needs to be for the title. He has done everything the UFC has asked him to do, so it is only right that the UFC does right by him and gives him a title shot next. Now, who that will be against is up in the air, but Allen shouldn’t have to settle for anything less than a shot at the belt next.
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10Christian Leroy Duncan vs
WINNER of 12Magomedov v Rowston
Zak Drapeau -
CLD had a good fight with Brendan Allen but came up well short. Duncan's 5-fight win streak may be over but he should keep his Top-10 ranking and get another ranked fight next.
The Rowston v Magomedov fight in 2 weeks should leave the winner Top-12 and in perfect place to get a fight with CLD. The prospective fight should be another Fight Night Main Event or PPV Main Card between some really badass strikers.
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Jai Herbert vs
Chris Padilla
Matt Hylen -
With Jai Herbert adding another solid name to the resume, I think a ranked eliminator could be in his future. He looked great against Matheus Camilo; he was sound with his striking, defended very nicely, and picked Camilo apart when he needed to. This was a mature performance from Herbert, which likely gives him a big fight next.
Chris Padilla seems like a perfect matchup for Herbert. Padilla is in a nice win streak of his own and presented a balanced style that Herbert hasn’t really faced or beaten before. If Herbert really wants to get inside the rankings in the UFC’s most stacked division, a win against a guy like Padilla would go a long way in achieving that.
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Matheus Camilo vs
Mason Jones
Zak Drapeau -
That has to be a very disappoiting loss for Camilo who was on the watch for a real rise in the Lightweight division and will have to assess to move forward now. At only 25 years old he has plenty of time to start over and maybe it won't even come to that.
Mason Jones is in a very similar spot after losing his momentum to MarQuel Mederos in August. Both of these guys are dwindling around the 40-ish range of 155 and could use a fight against one another to rocket their stock back up and try to salvage their potential.
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Loopy Godinez vs
Yan Xiaonan
Matt Hylen -
This could be a hot take, but I’m not sure what the judges were watching in this fight. Ketlen Souza looked like the better fighter on the night, connecting on more significant strikes and doing more damage to Loopy Godinez than Godinez did to her. It was a robbery in my opinion, but at the same time Godinez didn’t look bad whatsoever.
Even if it may be controversial, Godinez absolutely showed that she can stand and bang in need be. The grappling wasn’t working for her at all, so she found a way to use her granite chin and strike with Souza. She showed a lot of heart, which is why I think she could warrant a fight against Yan Xiaonan. Xiaonan is on a bit of a losing streak since fighting for the belt not too long ago, so a step down in competition may be needed to get her back on track. This would be a big opportunity for Godinez if she could get it done.
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Andre Fili vs
Jose Delgado
Zak Drapeau -
Fili had maybe the knockout of the year this weekend and could catapult him to a higher fight at 145 like Jose Delgado. Delgado will need a fight lower next anyway after being dispatched in his Main Event to Jean Silva.
Fili still has some name value to him and obviously has a lot left in the tank. Delgado may be a bit of a jump for Fili but I really see the UFC wanting to make this fight not to mention that both fighters will want it to.
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Otari Tanzilovi vs
Johnathon Martinez
Matt Hylen -
Otari Tanzilovi showed a lot of promise against what used to be one of the UFC’s most hyped prospects. His striking looked much improved from previous fights, as he was able to demonstrate how dangerous he is with his kicking ability.
The right step up to me would be a guy like Johnathon Martinez. Martinez has fought some good names in the UFC, giving him the experience Tanzilovi needs in order to make a push towards the rankings. Plus, this would be an extremely fun fight on the feet between two powerful guys.
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Julius Walker vs
Uran Saltybaldiev
Zak Drapeau -
Walker got a much-needed win against Meerschaert this weekend who let's face it, is not a good win on Walker's resume. That's just to say that Walker's next fight won't be necessarily an eliminator but could still be a fun fight with someone worth note in the division.
Satybaldiev is not the best prospect in the division but he is a prospect. It makes sense to pair Uran with Walker as his next test in the division and in a fight the Chinaman will be favored. Walker on the other hand needs fights like this instead of Gerald Meerschaert to show that even still belongs in the promotion.
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Brendson Ribeiro vs
Rodolfo Bellato
Matt Hylen -
I was not expecting this result whatsoever. Felipe Franco give his neck to Brendson Ribeiro on a silver platter, allowing his to kick a gilloutine choke without any real issue. This is absolutely a good win for Ribeiro, but considering this was more Franco losing this fight than Ribeiro winning it, I don’t think we see anything crazy in his next opponent.
This marks Ribeiro’s first win in his last five fights. He was on a four fight losing streak coming into this event, so he will need to prove a bit more if he wants to make a name for himself at Light Heavyweight. I believe a guy like Rodolfo Bellato, who is coming off a loss after being a big favorite against Christian Edwards, makes a lot of sense. Both fighters have big time power but haven’t put it all together just yet. The winner of this fight could absolutely benefit from the experience and start making a push up the unranked.
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Alice Pereira vs
10Karol Rosa
Zak Drapeau -
3 fights into the promotion and only 20 years old, Alice Pereira will get a number by her name in the new rankings this week after making Zhelezniakova give up on her stool. Is she the prospect in the Womans' divisions?
She will likely be given the #15 contender spot and in the 135-division there isn't a lot of woman needing a fight down but Karol Rosa not only fits the bill but would actually make for a good dance partner. Pereira's kickboxing and Sanda background could be thwarted by Rosa's deadly jiu jitsu and otherwise tested by a fighter much more experienced than herself.
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Other Fights to Make
Ketlen Souza vs Sam Hughes
Malcolm Wellmaker vs Mahammadali Osmanli
Gerald Meerschaert retired
Francisco Prado vs Diego Ferreira
Niko Price Retires
Leon Shahbazyan vs other promotion
Felipe Franco vs Magomed Tuchalov
RJ Harris vs Gable Steveson
Daria Zhelezniakova vs WINNER of Milosevic v Cachoeira
Melissa Gatto vs Jamey Lyn-Horth
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